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AC Connecticut, Indy Eleven book place in 2024 USL Academy Finals Championship Match

By USLAcademy.com Staff, 12/07/24, 4:00PM EST

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Two leading goalscorers to face off at Noon ET with match broadcast live on SportsEngine Play

BRADENTON, Fla. – The 2024 USL Academy Finals championship match is set as AC Connecticut and Indy Eleven punched their tickets with thrilling wins in their respective Semifinal matches on the third day of action at IMG Academy. The USL Academy Finals championship match will be streamed live on SportsEngine Play and kick off on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Noon ET. 

After a dramatic comeback victory over Miami FC after trailing 3-0 in the Quarterfinals, AC Connecticut had to weather some early pressure from the Richmond Kickers in the first half with AC Connecticut goalkeeper Luca Marinelli making a number of saves to preserve the clean sheet. Sam McCann then opened the scoring in the 50th minute after he received in the ball in the box and fired a shot that took a slight deflection off the covering defender to nestle in the bottom corner. AC Connecticut then doubled their lead only eight minutes later as Daniel Istambouli got on the end of a cross from Salvatore Zani to secure a 2-0 win and book the club’s place in the USL Academy Finals championship. 

“The one thing I’ll say about this group is they believe there’s goals in them and it’s one of the first groups I’ve coached where they fully believe they will win,” said AC Connecticut Head Coach Anthony Howard. “It’s a great accomplishment to get to the final, the level of competition here is outstanding, as it always is, and we knew that since it’s our fourth year so we knew what to expect. For us as a coaching staff, it’s kind of job done, we just want the boys to give their best and enjoy it tomorrow.” 

In the other Semifinal between Indy Eleven and Real Colorado, it was Real Colorado to open the scoring first as Xander Sevian powered home a header following a corner kick just before halftime. Indy Eleven would get one back in the 55th minute as Fynn Lahrsen cleaned up a saved shot from Real Colorado goalkeeper Kiernan Dibella for his second goal of the tournament to force the match into extra time. Indy Eleven would then take the lead in the 74th minute as center back Ephram Amones rose highest on a corner kick taken by Levi Dewey to make it 2-1 before Lahrsen recorded his brace following another mishap at the back from Real Colorado to earn Indy Eleven a place in the USL Academy Finals championship match. 

“We’ve met every morning as a team to go over the keys to improve on the previous performance and the word ‘mentality’ has been on the board every time,” said Indy Eleven Academy Head Coach Kiki Wallace. “I think that’s been one of our strengths is that we find a way to win, and it says a lot about this team to have that ability to come back. Going into the final, the boys will have adrenaline powering them through the tiredness to play on a massive platform, and from my standpoint less is more because I know they’ll be ready to go.”

The Richmond Kickers and Real Colorado will face off in the third-place game at 9:00 a.m. ET on Field 1 and also broadcast live on SportsEngine Play. Following the conclusion of the tournament, the USL Academy will be announcing the All-Tournament Teams and award winners from the 2024 USL Academy Finals.  

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